Alright, let’s talk about this Bachelor mess.

by Therese Odell, posted in Uncategorized

It’s Friday, which means this SHIT WEEK IS OVER.

Here’s an adorable baby Brazilian possum munching a bug that you need to see.

Black Lives Matter

So, The Bachelor situation. As I mentioned last week, things are going awry over at America’s favorite relationship fantasy series.

Last week, Rachael Kirkconnell, one of the frontrunners on the first Black Bachelor Matt James’ season, apologized for attending an antebellum-themed party in 2018, and liking pictures of her friends in front of Confederate flags and dressed as Mexicans. She also has been accused by some high school classmates of making fun of them for dating Black boys, but she has not addressed this specifically.

Chris Harrison was then interviewed by Rachel Lindsey, the show’s first Black Bachelorette, where he defended Kirkconnell with the argument that you can’t judge 2018 behavior by 2021 standards, referred to Kirkconnell as a “girl” multiple times, and yammered about “woke” cancel culture:

Harrison apologized on his Instagram soon after — which is where we here at Foolish left the story before the world came to an end in Texas.

After Harrison’s Instapology, Rachel Lindsey announced that she was done being associated with The Bachelor and would not be renewing her contract with the series.

“I’m f–king tired. I’m exhausted. I have truly had enough,” Lindsay said on Friday’s episode of her Higher Learning podcast with Van Lathan. “How much more do I want to be affiliated with this?… I said I was gonna leave if they didn’t have leads of color. Okay, they did that, and they made some other changes. They hired a diversity consultant. Who didn’t attend the class? Did Chris Harrison not sit through that?… I can’t take it anymore. I’m contractually bound in some ways. But when it’s up, I am too.”

She says that she and Harrison spoke privately after the interview, and stated that she appreciates his apology, “but I’m having a really, really hard time, reasoning, or, like, really taking in and accepting this apology.”

“During that conversation, he talked over me and at me, during that conversation,” Lindsay said. “He never gave me room to talk. And he never gave me room to share my perspective. He wasn’t trying to hear it. He was just trying to be heard. And that’s because I felt like he had an agenda that he was trying to push. He was really trying to push that forward. He expressed everything that he said, with passion and conviction. So, for me, Tuesday is what it was. And I’m not saying that he can’t be apologetic. I’m not saying that he can’t learn and be better from it.”

So THEN, Chris Harrison, the face of this franchise for 25 seasons, announced he would be stepping aside from the show “for a period of time.”

Will the show learn from this and change some of its questionable editing choices and casting decisions? Can a show that is based on such a reactionary concept of heterosexual relationships fundamentally change? I genuinely don’t know! But it will be interesting seeing what they do moving forward — whether they try to actually overhaul how they cast the show and shape a narrative or if they just make some meaningless cosmetic changes.

I’ve been giving this story a lot of thought since it originally broke this weekend, and I have mixed feelings about the whole thing. On the one hand, not to defend him, but as a fellow privileged white Texan and fellow parent of a college student, I know where Chris Harrison was coming from when he made his insensitive comments.

For starters, there’s an element of Chris Harrison: Dad at work here. I believe his emphasis on Kirkconnell’s age and how these “girls” just didn’t know any better stems from being a parent of an 18-year-old college freshman who struggles to see his child as an adult. His son is in college like Kirkconnell was when she took that photo, and his son is just a “kid,” therefore this 21-year-old woman was just a “kid,” too. “They’re just kids! Kids do stupid things! Give them a break!” This is a really good essay on why calling Rachel Kirkconnell a “girl” is a patronizing whitewash, basically saying “girls will be girls” — which is an excuse no Black girl or woman is afforded.

But the bigger problem lies in Southern culture in general. It can be hard for those of us white folks who grew up in the South to confront what we have been conditioned to see as symbols of our “history” for what they really are: symbols of oppression and racial violence and terror. Call it the Gone with the Wind mentality: “Yes, obviously slavery existed, and it was very bad, and we are very sorry about it, but look at the pretty dresses and plantations! So pretty!”

The reason this mentality is so harmful is that it is just an excuse to not have to do the hard work of really examining one’s own internalized racism and recognizing and dismantling the systemic racism that permeates our society. “It’s just a plantation house! It doesn’t mean anything! Lighten up!”

On the other hand, while I don’t actually believe Chris Harrison is racist, I do think he is being lazy in this interview with Lindsey. He’s not trying to hear her position, he just wants the conversation to end, and to shield himself and the show from having to do any real work or make any actual changes. It’s worth watching the clip: it really helps shine a light on why Lindsey was so frustrated with him and how dismissive he was of her feelings and opinions in favor of protecting a White girl from deserved criticism.

A quick personal story: 20 years ago, my grandfather had his third wedding here in Houston in a bar — the kind of bar that proudly hangs “Don’t Tread On Me” and Confederate flags. And in fact, a photograph of me holding my infant son was taken with that Confederate flag hanging in the background.

Now, I hope by now you know me well enough to know what my position on the Confederate flag is: burn all of them. But the sad, unfortunate truth is that here in Texas, like many places in the South, the Confederate flag can sometimes be hard to escape. I was there to celebrate my grandfather’s wedding, I wasn’t there to celebrate racism. And yet, here I am in a photo with this symbol of hate hanging above my shoulder.

But here’s the difference between me and Chris Harrison and Rachel Kirkconnell: Despite the fact that this is one of my favorite photographs of myself — I look so cute! and young! — I’ve never shared it online because I don’t want people to think that I approve of that fucking flag, and — AND! — I wouldn’t want any of my friends to like the photo in a friendly “yay, I like you!” kind of way and then be accused of approving of the flag themselves — the way Kirkconnell has been. We have to be conscious of these symbols and not glorify them, even unintentionally. And when someone does attend an antebellum-themed party or has their wedding at a plantation or displays the Confederate flag, it’s important to point out why it’s hurtful, and encourage them to educate themselves — not protect them from their ignorance or racism.

It’s sticky, and I’m glad both Kirkconnell and Harrison have come to realize that they need to apologize and learn from this entire situation. I just wish Harrison, who should know better, had tried harder to listen to Lindsey than to defend Kirkconnell.

And one more Bachelor-related note: Demi Burnett is really sorry for wearing a Yeezy jacket that had a Confederate flag on it. As to why Kanye West would make such a thing …

Also sorry for putting Confederate flags all over everything: country music star Luke Combs. I guess it’s a start.

Attacks on Asian-Americans are continuing. The mother of one of Olivia Nunn’s friends was attacked in Queens — and she’s just one of many. The attacker has been arrested thanks to Nunn’s celebrity and internet presence.

And Bee Vang, who starred in Clint Eastwood’s movie Grand Torino, has come forward to criticize the film for mainstreaming anti-Asian racism.

“To this day, I am still haunted by the mirth of white audiences, the uproarious laughter when Eastwood’s curmudgeonly racist character, Walt Kowalski, growled a slur. ‘Gook.’ ‘Slope head.’ ‘Eggroll.’ It’s a ‘harmless joke,’ right? Until it’s not just a joke, but rather one more excuse for ignoring white supremacy and racism,” the essay reads. “For Asian Americans, this is the time to demand recognition, not to recoil into a cocoon of model-minority pusillanimity. Showing ‘our American-ness’ was never enough. This is a deceit of multiculturalism.”

Starz is doing a good job of becoming more inclusive: their executive team is 50% women of color; the leads on their shows are 58% women and over 63% people of color; and the showrunners are nearly 55% women and 45.5% people of color. They are launching the #TakeTheLead initiative to continue its commitment to emphasize underrepresented voices.

All Other TV News

The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences has backed down from that Emmys change that would have put late-night shows in the same category as sketch comedy shows. Good. It was a stupid idea to begin with.

People love them some WandaVision. By the way, you’re going to want to watch the credits in this week’s episode. And here are some essential Scarlet Witch and Vision comics to read if you just can’t get enough — or want to know what’s going on.

Roku now has 51.2 million subscribers because streaming is the future of television.

This is interesting: The Walking Dead pays its actors more to NOT attend conventions. Huh.

Some hilarious #CancunCruz updates since I posted yesterday:

Despite his insistence that this was all his preteen daughter’s idea to abandon the state while his constituents were suffering, some friends of Ted and Heidi Cruz’s gave The New York Times some text messages suggesting otherwise:

And parents at St. John’s School piled on:

LOL, Nobody likes Ted Cruz.

Oh, and they also abandoned their poodle, named — and I could not make this up if I tried — “Snowflake” in the dark, cold house. But don’t worry, there was a security guard around to feed her. JUSTICE FOR SNOWFLAKE.

Also, don’t listen to Rafael talking here, listen to the background:

That’s delicious, but it’s still not my favorite Ted Cruz heckler video — that would be this one from 2016. “I don’t feel so good! Ted Cruz looks so weird! [pretends to barf]”:

Going Viral

We are now somewhere between 505,000 and 493,000 American deaths from COVID-19.

But in some hopeful news, it looks like the Pfizer vaccine is effective with only one dose. It will be interesting to see if we adjust our protocols to get more people vaccinated faster as a result.

Governor Cuomo is in a shitload of trouble for deliberately withholding information and data on deaths in nursing homes in the spring. IT’S NOT GOOD. Both Democrats and Republicans are calling for his emergency powers to be stripped and a possible impeachment inquiry. This was the same guy who WROTE A BOOK about what a good job he did during the pandemic. Yikes.

One wanted man in England turned himself in to the police because he couldn’t stand the people he was quarantining with anymore.

These ding-dongs. I hear Cancun is a lot cheaper and doesn’t require quarantining.

Please keep this Texas family in your thoughts: they lost their father to COVID three weeks ago, and now their house to a fire in their efforts to stay warm. If you want to help, they’ve started a GoFundMe.

Renewals

  • I Hate Suzie has been renewed for a second season at Sky (and presumably HBO Max).

In Development

Casting News

Mark Your Calendar

  • Kevin Can Fuck Himself will debut on AMC this summer.
  • Mortal Kombat will premiere on HBO Max and in theaters on April 16.
  • Good Girls will return on NBC on March 7.
  • Final Space will return on HBO Max on March 1.
  • Station 19 and Grey’s Anatomy will have a crossover event on March 11.
  • Godfather of Harlem will return on Epix on April 18.
  • The Moodys will return on Fox on April 1.
  • Millennials will debut on ALLBLK sometime soon.
  • Creepshow returns on Shudder on April 1.
  • VH1 Couples Retreat will premiere on VH1 on March 29.
  • Bloodlands will premiere on AcornTV on March 15.
  • Sky Rojo will debut on Netflix on March 19.
  • Just Say Yes will debut on Netflix on April 2.
  • Formula 1: Drive to Survive returns on Netflix on March 19.
  • DOTA: Dragon’s Blood will premiere on Netflix on March 25.
  • Waka & Tammy: What the Flocka will return on WE tv on March 18.
  • Word Party will premiere on Nickelodeon Jr. on March 2.
  • Abla Fahita: Drama Queen will premiere on Nickelodeon sometime soon.

R.I.P.

Prince Markie Dee, Rapper and member of The Fat Boys

Vincent Jackson, Former San Diego Chargers and Tampa Bay Bucs player

Zachary Wohlman, Boxer and subject of the documentary series Why We Fight

Lynn Stalmaster, Oscar-winning casting director

James Gunn, Prolific sci-fi author, and editor. One of his novels was the inspiration for the ’70s TV movie and series The Immortal.

John Caldon, Founder of Flame Media

WATCH THIS

FRIDAY

I Care A Lot: Rosamund Pike stars in this dark comedy about a woman who cons the wrong elderly person. Premiere. Netflix

Tribes of Europa: In this German series, after a global catastrophe that causes Europe to break up into warring tribal factions, three siblings hope to change the future with a mysterious cube. Series premiere. Netflix

Patrice O’Neal: Killin’ is Easy: A documentary about the influential comedian who passed away much too young. 9 p.m., Comedy Central

SATURDAY

Saturday Night Live: Regé-Jean Page and Bad Bunny. 10:30 p.m., NBC

The Long Island Serial Killer; A Mother’s Hunt for Justice: The story of Mari Gilbert’s hunt for justice for her daughter Shannen, which exposes a monster who had been operating in the Long Island area for a decade. 7 p.m., Lifetime

Attack of the Murder Hornets: The story of a crew of beekeepers and scientists who work together to protect their community from the Asian giant hornet, one of 2020’s fun little surprises. Premiere. Discovery+

SUNDAY

Allen v. Farrow: This four-part documentary series takes a look at one of the most notorious and fraught Hollywood scandals of all time. Premiere. 8 p.m., HBO

Boiling Point: This series explores how America has arrived at the Black Lives Matters reckoning that erupted here and around the world last summer. Series premiere. 7 p.m., BET

Disrupt & Dismantle: Soledad O’Brien hosts this new series that examines problems within communities, speaks truth to power, and offers action items on how to solve these issues. Series premiere. 8 p.m., BET

Supervillain: The Making of Tekashi 6ix9ine: Three-part documentary that follows the rise and fall of the notorious rapper. Premiere.  9 p.m., Showtime

The Walking Dead: Hey, you can watch the 10th season winter premiere early if you have a subscription to AMC+. AMC+

FRI. 7:00 7:30 8:00 8:30 9:00 9:30
ABC Shark Tank
(new)		 20/20
CBS MacGyver
(new)		 Magnum P.I.
(new)		 Blue Bloods
(new)
CW Whose Line Is It Anyway?
(new)		 Whose Line Is It Anyway?
(repeat)		 Penn & Teller: Fool Us
(new)		 Local
FOX Friday Night Smackdown Local
NBC The Blacklist
(new)		 Dateline

—

SAT. 7:00 7:30 8:00 8:30 9:00 9:30 10:00 10:30 11:00 11:30
ABC NBA Basketball
(live)		 News/Local
CBS NCIS: Los Angeles
(repeat)		 48 Hours 48 Hours News/Local
FOX 9-1-1
(repeat)		 Name That Tune
(repeat)		 News/Local
NBC Ellen’s Game of Games
(repeat)		 Weakest Link
(repeat)		 Saturday Night Live
(repeat)		 News/
Local		 Saturday Night Live
(repeat)

—

SUN. 6:00 6:30 7:00 7:30 8:00 8:30 9:00 9:30
ABC America’s Funniest Home Videos
(new)		 American Idol
(new)		 The Rookie
(new)
CBS 60 Minutes NCIS: Los Angeles
(new)		 NCIS: New Orleans
(new)
The CW Local Batwoman
(new)		 Charmed
(new)		 Local
FOX Cherries Wild
(new)		 Bless the Harts
(repeat)		 The Simp-sons
(new)		 The Great North
(new)		 Bob’s Burgers
(new)		 Family Guy
(new)		 Local/News
NBC Weakest Link
(repeat)		 The Wall
(repeat)		 Dateline
(repeat)

2 thoughts on “Alright, let’s talk about this Bachelor mess.”

  1. Glad you are OK! Just wanted to share that the first image that came to mind when I heard the Chris Harrison interview was precisely the same GIF as your header!

    Reply
  2. Pingback: Texas blog roundup for the week of February 22 – Off the Kuff

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